JEFFERSON CITY – More than 50 Missouri Department of Transportation employees and 18 Missouri Department of Natural Resources’ Missouri State Parks employees from throughout the state are heading to Florida this week to help with clean up in the aftermath of Hurricane Irma. The state of Florida requested assistance from other states over the weekend.

The Missouri crews will deploy from Sikeston this morning heading to Tallahassee, Florida, to receive their work orders. They are taking a variety of equipment with them, such as loaders, road tractors, backhoes, chainsaws and trucks. Their primary responsibility will be debris removal from roadways. The crews are prepared to be out of state for up to two weeks.

In addition, the Missouri State Parks teams will work in some of Florida’s state parks, cleaning up fallen trees and other debris left by the Category-4 storm. According to preliminary reports, 168 of the state’s 174 state parks have been closed due to storm damage. Two Missouri State Park Rangers will provide asset security during the deployment.

“I’m so proud of the outpouring of volunteers for this mission. However, I am not surprised,” said MoDOT Director Patrick McKenna. “We have great employees who continue to step up and show true dedication to serving others.”

“Our Missouri State Park staff are trained to handle natural disasters cleanups and were quick to volunteer and help in any way they could,” said MoDNR Director Carol S. Comer. “I wish the crew safe travels and can’t thank them enough for generously giving their time to those in need.”

As the remnants of the hurricane continue to move into other states, Missouri will stay at the ready to assist with other emergency requests as needed.